Roger’s Engraving Advertisement 

Robert Peak made this advertisement for Roger’s Engraving, using graphic design techniques that cleverly blend the manual and the mechanical. Notice the smooth, flat expanses of color, achieved with techniques like airbrushing that minimize any trace of the artist’s hand. This creates a clean, almost industrial feel. The glowing lines are reminiscent of neon signs, while the silhouetted figures, rendered in precise detail, evoke the world of commercial illustration and print. The choice of colors, too, speaks to the era of advertising, using bold, contrasting tones to catch the eye. But here's where it gets interesting: Engraving, the very service being advertised, is an inherently manual process. By juxtaposing the precision of engraving with the sleekness of modern design, Peak highlights the value of skilled labor in an increasingly mechanized world. It’s a statement about the enduring importance of human craftsmanship, even in the age of mass production.